Gathering once a month at the R. C. Men's Club in Herman, a core group of 6 to 12 young adults with Fr. Mark select guest speakers and topics for the series and invite other young adults to join them. The ministry has proven to be a healing ministry and has assisted the parish efforts to reach out to young adults who, in the midst of their busy lives, attempt to balance their personal stuggles and commitments while trying to deepen their spirituality, finding ways that their Catholic faith can be of help to them.

On Saturday, July 11, in Philadelphia, PA, Jack's Yacs (Young Adult Catholics) Group organized a "Light the City" event modeled on the one in the Washington, DC, Archdiocese. "Light the City" is a street evangelizing effort. After a Mass celebrated by our brother Tom Betz, OFM Cap., the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for adoration.

There were at least 75 volunteers helping in the music ministry and in street evangelization where they went out to meet and greet passersby along the way. The mission of the disciples to go out two-by-two just happened to be the weekend's Sunday Gospel . . . which was hardly a coincidence.

Taking the Gospel to parishes in our Capuchin Province of St. Augustine , four friar students are living out of back-packs and a van for the summer. Reports have it that they are making quite the impact on the young and old and in-beween’s. Seeing the enthusiasm and participation evoked by the missionaries, one parish friar remarked that “I am very impressed with these guys.”

The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Wheeling/Charleston, WV, published a salute of thanksgiving to our brothers who have served in the Diocese for more than a century. That salute was a full two-page tribute to their graciousness and appreciation for the service of our fraternity with the names of 170 of our friars. The Province of St. Augustine, in turn, thanks the people of the Diocese for enriching us through their goodness and hospitality throughout the years. May they continue to bring the Gospel to Life as we promise them our prayers and our memories of the faithful men who have found a 'home' among them.

On Sunday, June 14, 2015, a Vespers Service will be celebrated at St. Anthony Church in Charleston, WV, to celebrate and remember the years of service and fraternity which our Province has been privileged to share in the Diocese of Wheeling/Charleston, WV. This article appeared in Charleston’s local newspaper, The Daily Mail. We will be highlighting that Vespers Service in the coming days.

By Charlotte Ferrell SmithPhotos: Bob Wojcieszak

After more than a century of ministry and service to West Virginia, the Capuchin friars are leaving the Mountain State this month. Vows as Capuchin friars require they live together in community as brothers, sharing a prayer life and meals. A minimum of three brothers is necessary to fulfill this supportive environment.

Historic St. Augustine Church in Pittsburgh was packed for the ordination of two friars on Saturday morning, June 6. Sean Cardinal O’Malley, OFM Cap., ordained our brothers Manuel Avilés, OFM Cap., and JohnPaul Kuzma, OFM Cap., to the priesthood during a two-hour-plus liturgy.

About 80 friars were in attendance, as were about 20 diocesan and other religious priests. Two buses brought Manuel’s family and friends from Northern Virginia and DC. And a bus came in from Cumberland, MD, where John Paul is assigned.

On Sunday morning, May 31, in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh, PA (where our St. Augustine Friary motherhouse is located), Butler Street was closed to motorized vehicles and turned over to human-powered mobility. Our nonagenarian Fr. DeSales Young, OFM Cap., was able to join the happening with the help of Br. Francisco Lopez, OFM Cap., a friar student who recently completed his first year in Washington, DC. Thanks to “NEXTPittsburgh” for catching our friars in the act of being themselves.